Thanks, Mike.  These units are from the 90's and the packs may have been 
soldered in back then.  I may forward this to Kurt for his reference.  Lou
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Cozzolino" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 3:52 PM
Subject: Re: OT: Braille lite 40 question


> hello lou, i have changed the battery pack on several braille lites
> and there is no problem changing them.  the pack is made up of 5
> batteries in series and a second 5 in parallel for higher
> current.  the battery pac is a plug in unit and is glued in the
> case.  i had a company in colorado called car-go build me 20 packs
> and they did a great job.  i sent them a pack that came out of a
> braille lite and they duplicated it.  as far as the display is
> concerned maybe he broke a wire or maybe he didn't get something
> plugged in correct.  when opening the unit, you can just fold the
> unit open and replace the battery pack and fold it shut and put the
> screws back in and you are ready to go.  remember the batteries are
> not charged up when you get them so charge the unit for say 10 hours
> before you try to use it.  the display won't work unless the power is
> there.  hope this helps lou, take care, c u 73 mike w6quv
>
>
>
> At 11:14 AM 7/18/2013, you wrote:
>>I know this is off-topic, but at least it shouldn't generate flames and =
>>swearing, and I do use these units in the shack.
>>
>>Anyone on list familiar with the circuitry of the Braille Lite 40?  I =
>>have a friend who is offering to try to replace the battery packs in =
>>several units for me.  I sent him my oldest unit first to experiment =
>>with since I didn't really care what happened to that one.  He got the =
>>batteries in but now when he turns it on, it just beeps and no Braille =
>>comes up.  Has it lost the firmware?  He did find a lithium battery for =
>>the memorie which seems to be good.  It measures 3 volts.  I've now sent =
>>him another unit along with a charger so he can keep it powered while he =
>>changes the cells.  Any observations apreciated.  73,  Lou